You can't shop as an island.

You can shop on an island, just not as one.

Even if you are sitting beavering through websites, at 3am in the morning - you still aren't alone or uninfluenced.  There is the ubiquitous 'Editor's Pick' or the occasionally horrific, 'wear it with'- I always find myself wondering how I would react if I saw any of these "looks", strolling down The High Street.  When in a shop, you may not be aware of it but you are constantly being bombarded with signals of what to buy and how to buy it.  All shops are a series of paths and funnels to get you to where the merchandising team wants you, this is part of the reason stock is constantly rotated to ensure a good sales variance.  I feel like I just let out a secret, but I'm sure you knew it.

We are influenced by the Sales Advisors and how helpful or not they might be.  How flattered they make us feel and its really luck if you get a good stylist, as well as a good Sales person.  I know I've been convinced to make a mistake before.  These mistakes happen when we forget ourselves and get lost in the snap shot.  (HUH?)

Here is what I'm getting at, the 'Shop' sees a snap shot of you.  They don't know how you live, how you work, what you love - they only see a consumer and its their job to make you buy something of theirs.  They aren't going to tell you that you can get the same outfit cheaper elsewhere or that a slightly different cut of trouser not available through their outlet will suit you better.  They don't know or, frankly care, if the thing you are buying fits with your lifestyle or if you have anything to go with it.  So its up to you.  Shop in snapshots- on an island or you can bring your own influence to bare and to improve and understand the choices you make.  It's ok to ask for help from somebody impartial, be it a friend or professional, but make sure you trust their judgement and like their style first.  When I have a new client there is a whole questionnaire before we ever go into a shop, because I want to know who you are. I want to know how to get you exactly what you want, in a way that works for you.  That's the essence of my job, to cut out the guess work and Upgrade You to the best possible version of yourself.

So next time you are in a fitting room ask yourself a few questions, you aren't paying rent you can stay in there an extra minute - Do I look as good as I could?  Does this fit with my lifestyle?  Can I name 5 things in my wardrobe that either go with it or could enhance it?(This can be jewellery, shoes, a coat, etc).  If the answer is no to any of these questions, please put it back and look again.